Daily Sports Roundup
Thursday, January 14
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Coyotes play host to the Devils, Gonzaga takes on St. Mary's, and the Jazz get a visit from LeBron and the Cavs.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA's two-game slate for Thursday has Chicago at Boston and Cleveland at Utah. The Cavaliers (30-10 SU, 20-20 ATS) slipped past Golden State 117-114 on the road in their last game on Monday night. LeBron James led the way with 37 points and 11 assists for Cleveland in that contest, while Anderson Varejao contributed 15 points off the bench. The Jazz (21-17 SU, 22-16 ATS) beat the Heat 118-89 on Monday, as Carlos Boozer picked up 25 points and 11 rebounds.
Three ranked teams are in action on the college hoops schedule for Thursday, with Auburn at No. 9 Tennessee, Seton Hall at No. 11 Georgetown, and No. 17 Gonzaga at St. Mary's. The Bulldogs (12-3 SU, 6-5-1 ATS) got past Portland 81-78 in their last game on Saturday, as Matt Bouldin poured in 20 points. The Gaels (15-2 SU, 13-3 ATS) picked up an 80-72 win over Santa Clara in their last game on Sunday. Omar Samhan was good for 24 points for St. Mary's that day.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
As well, the National Hockey League has a busy slate of 12 games on Thursday, including New Jersey at Phoenix. The 32-11-1 Devils went into Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night and came away with a 1-0 shootout win over the rival Rangers. Patrik Elias had the winner in the shootout for New Jersey, while Martin Brodeur made 51 saves. The 26-15-5 Coyotes have lost three games in a row, most recently falling 3-1 to San Jose Tuesday. Jason LaBarbera made 29 saves.
Also on the ice on Thursday: Buffalo at Atlanta, Philadelphia at Toronto, Ottawa at the Rangers, Carolina at Detroit, Florida at Tampa Bay, Dallas at Montreal, Minnesota at St. Louis, Columbus at Chicago, Pittsburgh at Edmonton, Anaheim at Los Angeles, and Boston at San Jose. The 30-10-7 Sharks got two goals from Patrick Marleau and a single from Dany Heatley in their win over Phoenix on Tuesday. Evgeni Nabokov stopped 32 of 33 Coyotes shots for San Jose that day.
Today's Wagering Tips
Thursday, January 14
Melting ice
The Flyers and Ducks have to refreeze every rink they step into because as soon as their skates hit the ice it melts to slush.
Each team is positioned near the bottom of their division but both have won four straight games.
Philadelphia is 4-0 against the puckline during its streak, outscoring opponents by no less than three goals in each game.
Anaheim hasn’t won its games as convincingly but was underdogs in three of four. Moneyline bets during the Ducks win streak would have netted you a cool $561.
Both teams are on the road Thursday and the Ducks are dogs again.
Ice cold
One is at the cellar of the Western Conference and one is holding the last playoff spot in the East, but both the Senators and Oilers have dropped five games in a row.
Ottawa has scored a total of four goals during its losing streak and takes on a Rangers club Thursday that has held opponents to 1.6 gpg over its last seven.
Edmonton has outshot its adversaries during the last five, but have only cashed in on 3 of 17 power-play opportunities. The Oilers face a Penguins team that boast the ninth-best penalty-killing unit in the league.
Gael force wind
While the Zags are perennially the talk of the WCC, it’s been the St. Mary’s Gaels who have been kindest to backers this season.
The two conference powerhouses square off in Moraga on Thursday. St. Mary’s is 12-2 ATS this season while the Bulldogs – always a public favorite – have gone 7-4-1 ATS this season.
The home team has won eight of the last 10 meetings in this series. The Gaels opened as 3-point favorites and are 21-9 ATS in their last 30 home games.
Home-court advantage
Despite having a down season, Pac-10 teams are still getting it done on their home floors.
The West Coast teams are a combined 75-20 in the cozy confines of their home arenas this season. There are a slew of Pac-10 games on Thursday’s betting board, better be looking hard at the home team.
Notable Quotable
"They said I stayed out on the floor too long, or whatever, which I didn't do. I didn't swear, kept saying, 'it's an awful call,' so I'm perplexed by the fine. They admit that the ... call was wrong. Of all the fines I've ever had, this is by far the most disappointing. I just don't get this one. I watched a couple of coaches last week run out on the floor and no fine. I get fined for being right."
-- Celtics head coach Doc Rivers after being ejected from Monday’s game versus the Hawks and subsequently fined $25,000 for his actions.